Superintendents constantly take stock of their districts’ technology landscape—what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next. But as superintendents noted during the edLeader Panel “Leading and Sustaining Technology Innovations in Today’s School District Settings,” the scope of that is overwhelming. That’s why they shouldn’t do it alone. Based on key findings from CoSN’s U.S. State of EdTech 2026 report, the panelists offered their strategies for managing the ever-changing edtech landscape.
Presented by Jonathan Werner, MLTI Ambassador Program Facilitator, Maine Department of Education; Tali Horowitz, Experienced Educator, East Coast Education Director, Common Sense Media; and James Chasse, Infrastructure Specialist, Learning Through Technology Team, Maine Department of Education
Presented by Dr. Teresa Brown, Superintendent, Madison Consolidated Schools (IN); Dr. Kelly May-Vollmar, Superintendent, Desert Sands Unified School District (CA); Dr. Nick Polyak, Superintendent, Leyden High School District 212 (IL); and Paula Maylahn, Education Industry Consultant, Project Director, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)
Moderated by Ann McMullan, Project Director, CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Initiative, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)
Presented by Niki Kelly, Former Educator, Senior Partner Engagement Manager, Discovery Education; and Laetitia Morrisson, Senior Strategic Partnerships Director, Discovery Education
1,000 attempted cyber attacks on their school district per hour—that’s the number one district leader gave during the edLeader Panel “Cybersecurity Priorities, Policies, and Practices for K-12 Leaders.” But they also noted that with their district’s cybersecurity policies and procedures, those attacks don’t get very far. During the panel, three leading superintendents, along with CoSN’s Cybersecurity Project Director, discussed essential cybersecurity strategies and why it should be a priority for every district.
Presented by Krestin Bahr, Superintendent, Peninsula School District (WA); Tom Livezey, Superintendent, Oakridge Public Schools (MI); Dr. Mary Templeton, Superintendent, Lake Stevens School District (WA); and Amy McLaughlin, Cybersecurity Project Director, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)
Moderated by Ann McMullan, Project Director, CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Initiative, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)
Presented by Cristi Means, School Librarian, Bucher and Brecht Elementary Schools (PA); and Jennifer Ehehalt, Former Educator, Current Sr. Regional Manager, Midwest, Common Sense Education
“Ninety percent of jobs require digital skills,” said Ji Soo Song, Director of Projects and Initiatives at SETDA. Having access to technology critically affects student academic achievement, career advancement, and pay equity.
Presented by Ji Soo Song, Director of Projects and Initiatives, SETDA; Brad Hagg, Director of Educational Technology, Indiana Department of Education; Emily Jordan, Vice President, Foundation and Education Initiatives, Connected Nation; and Delia DeCourcy, Senior Education Strategist, Lenovo
As school technology gets more sophisticated, so do cybercriminals, but school leaders can’t sit back and wait for someone to hand them solutions. During the edLeader Panel “Cybersecurity in School District Settings: A District Leadership Approach,” three innovative superintendents discussed strategies to try and stay ahead of cyber issues even when the landscape is constantly evolving.